Turkey currently supplies 80 percent of the world’s apricot demand. While the size of the international apricot market reached some $2.5 billion last year, Turkish producers earned only $276.2 million. This stark difference between the producers’ income and the export volume mainly stems from the low price that Turkish apricots are sold for. A kilogram of Turkish apricots is marketed for $2-3, while the average price for apricots in world markets is around $15-20, even exceeding $25 in some countries. In a bid to earn more from apricot exports, Turkish apricot producers are planning to establish a World Apricot Council in the eastern province of Malatya, which is famous for its apricot orchards.
Speaking to Today’s Zaman about the proposed council, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Malatya deputy Mehmet Şahin said apricot sellers have no international organization to set standards for the product. This task will be undertaken by the World Apricot Council along with an accreditation center, which is also planned to be established in Malatya, he said. The world’s other leading apricot producers will also be able to participate in the council.
With the establishment of the council, Turkish producers will present apricots in smaller packages at higher prices. Şahin, stressing that the value of the apricot had to be increased, said: “While we sell one kilogram of apricots at a price of $2-3, 200 to 300 grams of apricots are sold for $10 in the world market. Apricots are a strategically important product; we should use this to our benefit.”
The official application required to establish the council has been submitted. Once approved, the council will need to be evaluated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
